Radiator



Oct. 17, 1933. F. M. YOUNG 1,931,467

RADIATOR Filed Sept. 12, 1932 F'J'GZ-I IN VEN TOR. 701444. 7

444%? I A TTORNEY Patented Oct. 17, 1933 PATENT q OFFICE RADIATOR Fred M. Young, Racine, Wis, assignor to Young Radiator Company, Racine, Wis.

Application September 12, 1932 Serial No. 632,725

2 Claims.

My invention relates generally to radiators, wherein the tube ends of the core are assembled on header plates and wherein these tube ends are connected by means of U shape connector tubes, whereby the core consists of groups of tubes connected in series, so as to form a multiple series passage for the liquid or vapor used for heating or cooling purposes.

Generally stated, the object of my invention is to simplify the manufacturing process, reduce cost and strengthen the structure.

These objects are attained by providing an improved connection between the header plate and core tube ends and by providing an improved joint between the core tube ends and the connector tubes, and further, in the manner of positioning and bonding the parts so connected.

Radiators are subjected, as a rule, to considerable vibration and in some cases the vibration is violent. They are usually made of copper or other rapid heat transfer material, are generally made of light material, and are fragile, resulting in frequent annoyance from fractured tubes or leaky joints. I claim that my improved construction gives longer life and that vibration will not cause the tubes to crystallize and crack nor the joints to leak. There is no sharp bending movement of the tubes at their support as in the conventional construction, because there are no abrupt oflsets at which vibrations and bending movements can terminate suddenly.

The movement is somewhat similar to'a whip action, because the point of support on the tubes is enlarged, the enlarged portion protruding from the support and then tapering down to the normal diameter of the tube, and further the wall of the enlarged part which is reduced in thickness is strengthened by the connector tube ends, thereby forming a double walled joint to which the support is attached.

To these and other useful ends my invention consists in matter hereinafter set forth and claimed and shown in the accompanying drawing in which- Figure 1 is a front elevation of a radiator embodying my improvements.

Figure 2 is a transverse view of the structure shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fractional sectional view taken on line 3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged-fractional sectional view taken on line4 of Figure 3.

Similar reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the several figures of the drawing.

tom of the enlarged openings.

In constructing a radiator embodying my invention, I provide preferably the usual assembly of tubes 5 and the usual radiating fins 6, which in their entirety constitute what is termed a core.

After this core is completed, the ends of tubes 5 are expanded, forming enlarged ends 7, the openings thus formed being slightly tapered outward as clearly indicated in Figure 4.

The header plates 8 are of less thickness than the length of ends '7 and are supplied with openings which register with and closely embrace these ends, which preferably protrude on each side of the plate as indicated in Figure 4. The header plate is preferably positioned relatively close to the outer end of enlarged ends '7 asindicated, and when in this position it is held in place temporarily by means of a suitable jig.

- The connector tubes 9 are preferably U shaped, the ends of which are burnished or trued to a size which will be slightly larger than the bot- Thus when the ends are inserted into the enlarged openings, and

pressed or driven into place, a tight joint will be made in the bottom of the opening, forming a slightly tapered peripheral well around the end of tube 9, the bottom of which will be tightly sealed. 1

When thus assembled, the joints, header plate and enlarged ends are fused together by means of brazing or bonding; the well will be filled, and the molten bonding material will flow over the core tube end to the header plate, which will be fused to the enlarged end '7, and the binding material which is designated by numeral '10, will assume a shape somewhat as indicated in Figure 4..

Thus by a single soldering or brazing operation, with my improved construction, the joints are intimately bound together, forming a compact strong structure.

Obviously, the molten bonding material cannot leak through the joint into the interior of the tubes, but the slightly tapered opening will insure a complete flow of bonding material into the tube joint, thus insuring a strong leak-proof joint.

When the core tube ends are expanded or enlarged, the wall thickness is slightly diminished; therefore, by positioning the header plate and brazing or soldering it on this wall, the wall will be materially strengthened and the assembly bound together in a substantial manner, the header plate acting as a rib or reinforcement for the entire assembly.

It will be noted by referring to Figure 4 that the ends oi. tubes 9 extend past the inner edge of plates 8, thus to further strengthen the wall of enlarged ends 7 at the point where they contact with the sharp inner edge of the opening in plate 8. When the tube ends are enlarged they take the form of an easy double curve, as clearly indicated in Figure 4. Thus the strength of the tube will be gradually increased as it approaches the plate 8 and an extremely strong connection is made between the core and its supporting plate.

The common practice in radiators of this class is to assemble the core tubes on header plates with the plate some distance from the ends, and on the normal diameter of the tube, and then unite the tube and header plate by brazing or soldering. After this has been done, the ends of the tubes are expanded or enlarged for a short distance, forming an opening into which the ends of the connector tubes are placed, and the joint then completed by brazing or soldering. This structure has several inherent defects. Two separate brazing or soldering operations are necessary; the normal diameter of the tube is small and therefore, apt to break loose from the header plate or be fractured. When the connector tube end is inserted into an enlarged opening which is not tapered, and the fit is close enough to prevent the molten bonding material from leaking into the interior of the tube, it will be too close a fit to. permit a uniform and complete flow of bonding material into the joint, resulting in either a lealw joint or one apt to leak after being in service foran extended time.

It will be understood that the taper in the Joint, and the bonding material as shown in Figure 4 are somewhat exaggerated in order to more clearly illustrate these features.

Having thus shown and described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:-

1. A radiator of the class described, comprising a plurality of tubes having enlarged ends, connector tubes the ends of which are adapted to fit into said enlarged ends forming Joints and a connection between certain tube ends, a header plate having openings adapted to closely embrace said enlarged ends which protrude from both sides of said plate, bonding material forming a seal for said joint, said enlarged tube ends and header plate being intimately bonded together.

2. A radiator of the class described, comprising' a plurality of tubes in spaced relation, a header plate, and connecting tubes, said first tubes having enlarged ends, said connector tube ends adapted to fit snugly into said enlarged ends forming Joints and a connection between certain tube ends, said header plate having openings adapted to embrace said enlarged tube ends the inner end of which protrudes from said header plate, said connecting tube ends extending past the inner surface of said header plate.

' FRED M. YOUNG. 

